In the midst of nurturing a family, working in various full-time professional careers, living and traveling throughout the United States and other countries, Alma Margaret Permar has continued to write.

In this book she has now brought some of the notes from the margins of her experiences into the center of the page. She has integrated her reflections and insights into a collection of very accessible poetry seeded by our universal life experiences of challenge, conflict, change, and celebration.


This is a book that you will want to place on your nightstand with a pen so that you, too, can make notes in its margins as your own reflections and insights emerge. You will not only appreciate reading and engaging these poems, but you will also treasure discovering your own notes written in the margins of this book.

About the Author

Alma Margaret Permar is a writer who has taught school, been an executive for various community organizations, owned her own consulting business, and been a manager for real estate development and construction. She grew up in Steubenville, Ohio, and earned her bachelor's degree from Tarkio College, Missouri. She has also lived in Shreve, Ohio; in Pittston and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; in New York City, New York; and in Bethesda, Maryland. She currently lives with her husband, George Macpherson, in Tucson, Arizona. She has traveled to the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and most regions of the United States. Alma is a member of the Society of Southwestern Authors.


Throughout her mosaic life of nurturing family, pursuing varied careers, and doing extensive travel, Alma has embraced the constancy of writing. Her poems have been published in magazines and other media, and her short stories read and her plays performed at community events. In the margins of her journey she always writes about her insights into living. This is a small collection of poems from her writings. Alma may be contacted at: writeamp@cox.net.

Praise for Written in the Margins

"In the preface of this collection, Alma Permar speaks of the resume, or the facts of our lives; the stories, or how we've lived; and the margins, from which we've written little notes to reveal the essence of our journey. The poems herein are those notes, the tidbits that reveal the essence of Alma Permar. Her hope, which she confided to me early on, was that you, the reader, might find in this collection 'some insights or reflections that will be helpful or inspiring.' As you immerse yourself in these poems, allowing their gentle, everyday rhythms to wash over you, I don't doubt that you will find many such insights. Some will nudge you gently, some will whisper in your ear, and others will startle you just enough to evoke a smile. Enjoy."
Harvey Stanbrough, author of Beyond the Masks, 2006 National Book Award nominee, StoneThread.com


"To meet poet Alma Permar is like stepping out of a drenching rain into the arms of sunshine. Her eyes speak in smiles. Her heart in poetry. How is it, we wonder, that Alma Permar can see so far, so deep, so high, so wide, and create her own language of words? And how is it that we, the readers, can understand, see, and feel everything she tells us? Reading her poetry is like looking into a mirror where we find reflections of ourselves stretching, awakening to the wonders of today and the miracles of the past. Written in the Margins is a treasure chest of magic by a gifted writer who puts her own life, and everyone else's, into one glorious masterpiece of thoughts, verses, and songs. Alma Permar has created a book that will touch your soul."
Penny Porter, author of Heartstrings and Tail-Tuggers, pennyporter.com